Unemployment rate in the South East falls to 7.3%

The unemployment rate in the South East has dropped to its lowest level in almost 10 years, however it remains one of the highest in the country.

According to the CSO there were 17,600 people out of work in the South East at the end of 2017, leaving the unemployment rate at 7.3%

That's down from 24,000 at the end of 2016 and represents a year on year drop of 27%.

The unemployment rate in the region peaked at over 20% in 2011.

Nationally the unemployment rate was 6.1% at the end of 2017, the Midlands had the highest rate at 7.7%